‘Living a nightmare’: Family speaks out after Australians killed in Philippines

The family of an Australian man found dead with his partner in a Philippines hotel say they are “living a nightmare”.

Sydney man David Fisk, his Australian-Filipino partner Lucita Barquin Cortez and Lucita’s daughter-in-law Mary Jane Cortez were found dead by staff at the Lake Hotel in Tagaytay, south of Manila.

Australian couple David Fisk and Lucita Barquin Cortez were found dead in a Philippines hotel room.

Their hands and feet were tied, local police said.

“The love we have for our father and Lucita is so dear and this situation is like living a nightmare,” a family statement said.

“We pray for answers and the truth in this horrific matter and just pray for their safe return to Australian shores.

“David’s daughters, local known and loved residents in the Sutherland Shire, ask on behalf of their family that the media respect our privacy in this incredibly difficult and tragic time and we will be making no further comment.”

A man, whom police identified as a suspect, walks along a hallway before entering a room at the hotel.Credit: AP

Police are hunting for a man captured on CCTV wearing a mask and a hoodie, who was seen walking out of the Australian couple’s hotel room hours before their bodies were discovered.

A relative told AP the couple were on holiday when they were killed, and were supposed to fly back to Australia on Wednesday, the day they were killed, but instead decided to enjoy a brief holiday in Tagaytay.

The couple had flown from Sydney to Bali before heading to the Philippines on Monday to visit Barquin Cortez’s children from a previous marriage, the relative said.

“We were shocked by this incident,” Tagaytay Mayor Abraham Tolentino said, apologising to the families of the victims. “We’re very sorry to our Australian friends. We will resolve this as soon as possible.”

Police are yet to determine a motive for the attack. Tagaytay police chief Charles Daven Capagcuan said some of the victims’ valuables including their phones were not stolen during the attack.

A spokesperson for DFAT said it was providing consular assistance to the family.

With AP

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